The Principles of Literary Criticism

Literary criticism involves analyzing and interpreting literature to understand its meaning, significance, and impact. Key principles include examining themes—such as love or power—character development, and stylistic choices like imagery and symbolism. Critics may consider the historical context, author’s intent, and the text’s emotional resonance. Different schools of thought, such as formalism, which focuses solely on the text, or feminism, which examines gender roles, provide various lenses through which to view literature. Ultimately, literary criticism enriches our appreciation of texts and invites deeper reflection on human experiences and societal issues.